Wiz of Awes
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NBA Draft 2015: Washington Wizards Have Plenty Of Options

By Ben Mehic

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After seeing how bad the Atlanta Hawks have been against the depleted Cleveland Cavaliers squad, it’s hard not to think what could’ve been for the Washington Wizards. I mean, they were one rebound and one second away from playing LeBron James and the Cavs without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving in the Eastern Conference Finals!

Nevertheless, we’re eventually going to have to move on — because I clearly never will.

The NBA Draft is right around the corner, and instead of focusing on what’s happening in the playoffs, the Washington Wizards will have to focus on adding another player to their young core almost exactly a month from today.

Ernie Grunfeld will be making the pick for Washington.

For those hoping this will finally be the summer that he retires or loses his job — sorry to shatter your hope. Grunfeld will be making Washington’s picks even when he’s six feet under.

The draft isn’t something Grunfeld has been successful at.

Besides John Wall, the only NBA All-Star Grunfeld ever drafted was Michael Redd in 2000 with the 43rd overall pick. Needless to say, it’s difficult to get excited about the NBA Draft if you’re a Washington Wizards fan. Oh, and yeah, Jan Vesely. That happened too.

Still, even with his ridiculous draft blunders throughout the years, Washington is going to have plenty of options come June 25th.

Adding A Stretch Four

Adding a forward that can space the floor is something the Wizards have been trying to do for quite some time.

First, they tried to make Chris Singleton become a stretch four. He’s currently out of the league. Then they signed 59-year-old Al Harrington. He got hurt and missed most of the season.

Luckily, Drew Gooden was able to play the stretch four role for Randy Wittman‘s team during the playoffs.

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Surprisingly, Gooden made over 46 percent of his three point shots in the playoffs. Just to compare, Kyle Korver shot 49 percent from three during the regular season.

Basically, Gooden morphed into a super tall, bald, way cooler version of Korver during the playoffs.

Unfortunately, I don’t think relying on Gooden for three point shooting during an 82 game season is going to work out very well.

On-top of hoping Kris Humphries adds a three point shot to this arsenal this summer, adding a legitimate stretch four is going to be one of Washington’s top priorities. Players like Mirza Teletovic and Jonas Jerebko will likely be considered by Washington during free-agency, but the draft will also serve as a way to add the stretch four they’ve been looking for.

Most mock drafts have the Washington Wizard using their 19th overall pick on a stretch four. Players like Kevon Looney and Bobby Portis are two of the most common names linked to the Wizards.

If either of them are available, they could be donning a Washington uniform next season.

Adding Guard Depth

John Wall has been in the NBA for five years and it seems like he’s had at least 20 different backup point guards.

Let’s see: Kirk Hinrich, Lester Hudson, Mustafa Shakur, Shelvin Mack, Roger Mason, Shaun Livingston (how did the Wizards manage to mess this one up?), Jannero Pargo, A.J. Price, Garrett Temple, Eric Maynor (……..), Andre Miller, Ramon Sessions.

So, not quite 20 (unless I’m missing some, which could be the case), but that’s A LOT of backup guards.

At some point, the Washington Wizards are going to have to find a backup point guard that could stick around for more than just a season.

Sessions has another year remaining on his contract, but he’s not a permanent solution. He’s given the Wizards a much needed spark off the bench with his ability to get to the basket and draw fouls, but he’s also not getting any younger.

Nowadays, teams are starting to rely more on their guard play. We saw the Phoenix Suns have plenty of success with Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas. While I don’t expect the Wizards to find a player that’s capable of starting with the 19th overall pick, it would be nice if they can find a player that could be a fill-in starter.

Tyus Jones and Jerian Grant are two of the best point guards slated to go anywhere from the late-lottery to late in the first round. If the Wizards want to add a solid backup guard, they could be options.

Trading The Pick

I know, I know…

As someone who’s spent the past few nights researching the prospects because I admittedly don’t know much about this year’s draft, it’s going to be a tough pill to swallow if Grunfeld opts to trade the pick. But if you’ve been a Washington Wizards fan for even the past year, you’d know that trading the pick is always going to be an option.

Grunfeld is notorious for botching and trading picks. If there’s a veteran player available for the pick that will help the team immediately, Grunfeld will entertain the trade.

Since rookies are on cheap deals and also have the possibility to contribute right away, Grunfeld should keep the pick.

But, as previously mentioned, that’s not how he operates.

With all of the front offices communicating, there’s going to be trades on draft day and Grunfeld has been involved in a lot of them.

Last year, he traded All-Rookie first teamer Jordan Clarkson for cash considerations.

The year before that, he traded two second round picks for Glen Rice Jr., who was waived this season.

Washington also had the 49th overall pick, so there’s a possibility they trade that second rounder.

There’s also a possibility they trade their first round pick for veteran help.

If someone like Danilo Gallinari becomes available, the Wizards could snag him for Nene and the pick. (These are just ideas I’m throwing out. Not rumors) There’s going to be conversations and the Wizards will be involved.

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